Stage 7 - June 16: Morzine-Avoriaz - Genève, 150 km

Armstrong right on target for Tour with Dauphiné win

Gutierrez takes another stage for Kelme

In his final racing appointment before the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong
has come away with an impressive win in the 54th Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré.
It was the first time he had conquered this event, after placing third in 2000
and eighth in 1999, and exorcising a few ghosts along the way. As has been the
case for the last two years, Armstrong will go into the Tour de France in three
weeks time as the number one favourite.

He could also take heart from an opportunistic and gutsy ride from his teammate
Floyd Landis, who took second overall in the classification 2'03 behind his
leader. In third place after a good ride yesterday was Christophe Moreau (Credit
Agricole), who is certainly another podium challenger for the Tour.

The final 150 km stage from Morzine-Avoriaz to Genève saw Kelme's Jose Enrique
Gutierrez win in front of Christophe Oriol (Ag2r), after the two had attacked
a 10 man breakaway. Brad McGee finished third and won the points jersey from
his Francaise des Jeux teammate Baden Cooke, who finished on equal points.

The stage saw the remaining 86 riders depart Morzine-Avoriaz at noon, once
again in the very warm conditions that have been a feature all week. After a
first hour ridden at 35 km/h, the attacks started with David Millar (Cofidis),
David Latasa (iBanesto), Brad McGee (Francaise des Jeux) and Alexei Sivakov
(BigMat) getting clear, chased down by Santiago Botero (Kelme), and Unai Osa
(iBanesto). Osa and Sivakov went back to the peloton, as Christophe Oriol (Ag2r),
Jerome Bernard and Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour), Xavier Jan (Big Mat), Ludovic
Martin (Credit Agricole) and Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Kelme) came up to what
turned out to be the winning break.

Latasa took the points on the only climb of the day (Col du Cou) in front
of Botero and Millar, and the break had reached a 1'47 lead by the foot of the
descent. However, the leaders kept the pressure on an the gap was 4'30 as they
hit the final 10 x 7.1 km finishing circuits in Geneva. With two laps to go,
the attacks started in front as Oriol, McGee, Bernard and Gutierrez escaped
from the remaining six riders, who did not see them again.

McGee was contesting the intermediate sprints to try and ensure his team won
the points jersey, but with one lap to go he couldn't follow the attack of Oriol
and Gutierrez, who stayed away to win the stage. Gutierrez won the sprint and
couldn't believe it. "I did not think to win so easily," he said. "But, when
Christophe Oriol suddenly dropped off, I understood that I had earned the race.
It was my biggest professional victory. I would like to repeat my performance
in a stage of the Tour".

Just over five minutes behind him finished the peloton containing Lance Armstrong,
who became the third American to win the Dauphiné after Tyler Hamilton (2000)
and Greg Lemond (1983). He considered it an important test before the Tour,
coming on top of his Midi Libre win and second in the Criterium Internationale.
"I felt better every day despite the heat. I felt much better in Saturday's
mountain stage than I did on Ventoux on Tuesday," said Armstrong afterwards.

"Like every year, people will say that I'm ready too early but I have to say
I feel very confident," he added. All of his racing and specific training done,
Armstrong will now spend three weeks with his family before arriving in Luxembourg
to try and win his fourth Tour de France.

Teammate Floyd Landis was also pleased with his performance: "I am even more
happy since I didn't really think of finishing second at the start. It's widened
my perspectives. From now on, my objectives will higher. What I am really happy
with is my performance on Mount Ventoux. I hope to participate in the Tour de
France".

Finally, third placed Christophe Moreau rode well in defence of his overall
win last year. "I am very satisfied with my performance," he said. "The test
lasted the whole week and I succeeded in spite of my past problems and my broken
collarbone. I rediscovered confidence. I suffered on the Joux-Plane stage on
Saturday. But so did Lance Armstrong. Each one of us went to their limits. It
is much more positive."